Grinding noise

IRKISH

MEMBER
2010 FORD EXPLORER
4.0L
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
125,000 MILES

My SUV is making a grinding noise when I'm driving. The steering wheel vibrates and I can feel vibration under the seat. There is also a squeaking noise when I'm driving at low speeds. I also seem to hear some kind of a humming noise when I'm turning at a high speed (like on a highway). There is also a thump when I go from drive to reverse. We've redone the brakes, the front rotors, balanced the tires, and checked the U-joints. They all seem fine.

5 Replies

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,413 POSTS

Your description sounds like a front drive-train issue either a bad half shaft joint or wheel bearing failing. Either would be felt in those two places. I would look at the joint boots for damage or grease leakage. Then grab the axle shaft itself and test for motion in the joints. It doesn't take a lot of wear or damage to cause noise and vibration.

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Monday, September 23rd, 2019 AT 11:14 AM

IRKISH

MEMBER
3 POSTS

We did feel a little bit of play in the front axle shaft between the main transfer case and the front differential. Sorry If I'm not saying that right, this was my Father's description. Would that mean the shaft should be replaced or just the U-joint? No grease leakage anywhere, and we replaced the the passenger side front bearing and the driver side looks newer (I bought the truck a little over 2 years ago).

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Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 AT 5:59 AM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,413 POSTS

The places to look for wear will be in item 2 in the first picture. That is one of the drive axles. They shouldn't have any play when twisted or if you try to move the ends around like up-down or side-side. The other place to look would be the front drive shaft. The larger joint is a constant velocity unit while the front is a common U-Joint. They can wear and get loose, or they can rust internally and bind up. The only real way to determine if they are binding is to remove the straps to get the joint free and then see if it moves freely. The CV joint side should have no play when you try to rotate it.

The squeak and thumping when shifting to reverse suggest a U-Joint issue. I would probably start with the rear driveshaft and be sure the joints are OK, then the center bearing if yours has one. Then the front drive shaft and finally the front outer axles. I have had more than a few U-Joints fail internally and show no signs other than binding when removed.

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Tuesday, September 24th, 2019 AT 6:32 AM

IRKISH

MEMBER
3 POSTS

All the U-joints seem fine, for kicks we changed the front one on the drive shaft, no luck. We're almost positive the noise is coming from the front half of the truck. The CV's in the front have no play at all and no leakage. The only spot there is some play is with the front drive shaft where it connects to the transfer case, picture is attached. There is a little give when we rotate it, maybe about a quarter of an inch, and it seems to move a little up and down too.

My father is convinced it has to be one of the front CV joints by elimination, assuming the give in the shaft is normal. Is there a way to tell which one is bad if there's no give and no leaking?

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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 2:42 PM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,413 POSTS

That would be the CV joint at the case side of the front shaft, there should be zero play in that joint. An easy way to track down the problem would be to unbolt that joint and drop the shaft out. If the noise stops you have it. But any rotation or sideways motion in that joint will cause problems.